My Experience with Consignment: Lessons from My Side Hustle
Last year, I decided to try consignment as a way to clear out inventory. With piles of products gathering dust and markets feeling more draining than exciting (because, let’s face it, this is just my side hustle), consignment seemed like a great alternative. Spoiler: It wasn’t.
This isn’t a horror story to scare you off consignment, but a cautionary tale to help you learn from my missteps. Grab a coffee and let’s chat about contracts, red flags, and why your gut is the best business tool you have.
When Excitement Overrules Intuition
Your intuition is your best ally. But sometimes, the thrill of seeing your products in a shop—sales rolling in, customers admiring your work—can drown out that little voice whispering, “This doesn’t feel right.” I’ve been there. Twice.
Let me share two experiences where I ignored my gut and paid the price.
The Shop That Ghosted Me
My first consignment experience was with a shop in Orlando. The shop’s mission aligned with my values, and the owner seemed enthusiastic about working together. I was excited to build a custom display to showcase my brand.
But from the start, communication was rocky. Calls went unanswered, messages were ignored, and when I finally got the owner on the phone, her excitement felt more like polite enthusiasm with no real commitment behind it. I pressed forward, hoping it would all come together in the end. Spoiler: It didn’t.
After weeks of crafting my display, I was ready to deliver it. And then… nothing. Weeks passed without a single response. Eventually, I learned she was closing her shop, which explained the silence. But by then, I’d already invested time, energy, and money.
Lesson learned: No matter how perfect the opportunity seems, if communication is a mess, it’s not worth your time.
No Contract, No Clarity, No Pay
You’d think I’d have learned from my first experience, right? Wrong.
This time, it was a trendy new shop in St. Pete that hadn’t even opened yet. The owner was sweet, and the vibe seemed promising. I ignored the nagging feeling that it wasn’t the right fit because I was excited to be part of something new. Plus, a friend of mine was also consigning there, so I figured if she trusted the process, I could too.
The first red flag? No contract. Again. I told myself it’d be fine. Spoiler: It wasn’t.
Communication was weak, and the owner never provided basic materials I requested, like a logo for promotions. When I visited the shop, I noticed our products weren’t being promoted on social media or even within the store. On top of that, we were expected to create our own listings, which felt unprofessional.
The final straw came when months passed without payment. When I finally confronted the owner, she admitted she couldn’t pay what she owed. I packed up my display, took the payment she could put together, and walked away.
What You Need to Know Before Consigning
If you’re thinking about consignment, here’s what I’ve learned:
Always, always get a contract. Verbal agreements are not enough. A contract sets clear expectations and protects your work.
Trust your gut. If something feels off, listen to that instinct. It’s rarely wrong.
Communication is everything. If someone struggles to communicate before the partnership even begins, it’s unlikely to improve.
Know your worth. Don’t let anyone undervalue your time, energy, or creativity. You deserve fair compensation and respect for your work.
Final Thoughts
Consignment can be exciting, but it’s not always the dream we imagine. These experiences taught me to advocate for myself, set boundaries, and trust my instincts. If you’re considering consignment, approach it with clear expectations, a solid contract, and a firm belief in your own value. Your intuition will always steer you in the right direction—don’t ignore it.
